Wolffiana II: Christian Wolff und die europäische Aufklärung

Christian Wolff (1679-1754) was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the early and high Enlightenment. Using philosophy and what was known as the mathematical method he sought to establish an encyclopaedic system of knowledge on the basis of contemporary intellectual culture. In the middle of his century Wolff was renowned throughout Europe as an authority. Still celebrated by Kant as the “inventor of the spirit of thoroughness”, his reputation faded soon afterwards. It was only the publication of the major edition of Wolff’s works prepared by Jean Ecole and others that led to the rediscovery of Wolff and a reinvigoration of international Wolff scholarship.
On the 250th anniversary of Christian Wolff’s death the 1st International Christian Wolff Conference, “Christian Wolff and the European Enlightenment” took place in Halle (Saale) from 4-8 April. The scholarly proceedings of this conference are documented in five comprehensive volumes. Wolff’s entire oeuvre is examined in individual studies. Particular emphasis is laid on the previously underappreciated theme of Wolff’s international influence. The proceedings also offer a representative overview of the current state of research on Christian Wolff and on the Enlightenment.